Chapter 4 - TJ
Ever since I met the lawyer from KobiTech, my heart and mind have not rested.
All I think about is her dark green eyes and plump lips.
Women have invaded my thoughts before, but none like Taylor. There is just something about her that sets my teeth on edge but also makes me feel truly calm. My dragon has not stopped purring since we met her yesterday.
I fear that I know what is going on, so I do not want to talk to any of my work friends. They will see right through me. Which is why I am waiting at this skeevy bar for my friend outside of work, Shane.
Shane and I have been friends since childhood, and he knows me pretty well. The bar I’m at is a little dive bar about two miles from the office. We’re still in the city, but it's quite gloomy down here. It’s closer to Shane, so I agreed to meet him here.
Shane enters the bar and I wave him over with a grin.
I haven’t seen him in ages.
“Hey buddy, how’s it going?” I ask.
Shane shakes my hand as he sits down next to me at the table.
“You’ll never guess who is back in town.”
My mind wanders.
Maybe it's that girl Tiff Stait who we used to crush on in high school, or that guy Leo Hansen who we befriended during our soccer years.
Truth be told, I have no idea, so I go with Leo.
“Nope,” Shane pops the P sound.
I wait in anticipation.
“My sister, Taylor.”
My face scrunches as I try to picture his sister. The last time I saw her was at my high school graduation. She had a round face and body. I do remember teasing her because she was Shane’s little sister.
“And that matters why?” I ask with a shrug.
Shane slaps me on the shoulder.
“She hasn’t been home since she left for college. She looks way different and is in town to sue some big shots.”
At his words, my hand freezes on my drink.
Taylor.
I know a Taylor who is suing some big shots.
Montgomery…
That’s Shane’s last name.
As I put two and two together, a laugh bubbles out of my throat at my stupidity.
The universe sure does have a sense of humor.
“You’re not pulling my leg?”
Shane shakes his head, “Why would you ask that?”
“Taylor. Your sister is suing me.”
Shane’s mouth drops open, and I take in his face.
He has the same green eyes as Taylor, but he has sharper features. Their hair color is also spot-on, except he has a few flecks of gray.
“What a small world,” Shane blows out some air. “Good for her.”
I glare at him.
“You could use being knocked down a peg, and from what I hear, she is a badass in the court. You are so screwed.”
My glare intensifies.
“Kidding. Kidding. You know I’ve got your back.”
Shane is telling the truth. He’s never not had my back. He is like family to me.
Wanting to make him feel some type of way, I ask, “So…when did Taylor get hot?”
Shane’s fingers tighten around his drink, but he barks out a laugh.
“Man, I hate you.”
I wink at him.
“You don’t hate me enough to not let me buy you a drink.”
“If you’re paying, I’ll take another.”
We spend the rest of the night drinking and catching up. He tells me all about his job working as a psychologist, and I fill him in on my work as well.
“So, any girls got your eye right now?”
I shrug, not able to tell him that I’ve been lusting after his sister since I saw her yesterday. Just that thought alone causes my dragon to rear his head.
It’s destiny, my dragon spits out.
Shut up.
She is ours. You know it. I know it. Shane probably knows it.
There is no way Shane knows. He’d kill me.
My dragon quiets at that, as he knows that I’m right. Shane would be against me being with any of his family, as he knows I am quite the flirt.
“Earth to TJ,” Shane knocks on my forehead.
I rub the spot.
“Sorry, I zoned out. There was this hot blonde at the Sitting Duck the other night, but she wasn’t that interesting,”
Shane nods in understanding.
“Man, I can’t wait for the day you get tied down. TJ Rubens in love will be a sight to behold.”
If only he knew that that day may be coming sooner than he thinks.
***
Hot water from the shower pours over my back.
I like it scalding.
My back is tense from flying earlier today. I don’t often go out and fly alone, but after my interaction with Shane, I had to go and let my dragon out. There is just something about the Montgomery family that puts me on edge.
First, I see Taylor after all these years and don’t recognize her. Then I meet up with Shane and I realize that his younger sister is suing me and my company.
It has been a crazy day, and I just needed to relax, so letting my dragon out had been for the best.
As the water flows down my back, I try not to think of Taylor, as I don’t want to get myself worked up.
Shane’s words about me one day being in love threw me for a loop.
If he had said it yesterday, I would have laughed in his face and maybe thrown a drink at him, but today, it feels as if my dragon wants it to be true.
She is ours , my dragon reminds me.
No. She is not.
Maybe not yet .
I shake my head.
This shower isn’t helping, so I towel off and get out. Wrapping the towel around my waist, I wipe my hand against the steam-covered mirror.
My face appears and I smile.
I know that I am handsome and a bit vain. Staring into my eyes, I try to see what Taylor might see when she looks at me.
I keep my face freshly shaven, and my blonde hair isn’t too long.
Most women seem impressed by my looks, but Taylor couldn't have cared less.
Was it because I didn’t recognize her? Did she even recognize me?
She must have. I look the same, just more mature.
While she looks…different.
Now that I know who she is, it is hard to imagine that I didn’t recognize her. She looks just like Shane but with a more feminine face and longer hair. She is still curvy and has a full face, she just carries herself with more confidence than she did as a teen, but so do most people as adults.
Taylor and I got along for the most part, except that last summer. I remember seeing her and realizing how much she had grown. Part of me was attracted to her, and knowing Shane would hate it if I showed interest, I made some jokes here and there.
Not that Taylor was ever even interested in me, but I had to make sure Shane couldn’t see that I was clocking how cute his sister was.
Shaking my head, I stop reminiscing about the past.
I always want to stay in the present day. You only get one life, and there is no need to spend it trying to change the past.
After I get dressed for bed, I read a self-help book before getting under my silk covers.
My penthouse is home, and as I sink beneath the sheets, sleep hits me instantly.
“TJ, I love you.”
At those words I turn over in my bed to look at where the voice is coming from.
Taylor Montgomery is staring at me, wearing a loose red robe. Her figure is a bit blurry, and I cannot see anything past her.
“What did you say?” I ask, wiping my eyes. “Why are you here?”
“I said I love you. Because you are mine, silly, and I’m always next to you.”
My brow furrows, but Taylor leans toward me as if she is trying to steal a kiss from my lips.
“What about Shane?” I say, pushing her away. We cannot do this. Shane would hate me if he found me in bed with his little sister.
Taylor rolls on top of me suddenly, so fast I am not able to stop her.
Feeling her thick body on top of me wakes up my lower half. I can feel my erection growing, and I try to ignore it.
“He just wants us to be happy.”
That makes sense. Shane cares for both of us, and it is clear that we are here for each other.
“Don’t you love me, TJ?”
“I-I—”
What do I say?
We just saw each other for the first time in ten years earlier, how do I know if what I am feeling is love?
I have never been in love before, but the fire in my chest as I look up at Taylor makes me think that I just might.
“Taylor, I love y—”
I sit up with a gasp.
Looking to my side, I see no one there.
It was a dream.
Why am I dreaming of Taylor Montgomery?
Why am I dreaming of being in love with her?
My heart is racing as if I just ran a marathon, and my skin has broken out into a cold sweat.
I need to see her , my dragon begs.
I nod before shaking my head.
No way.
I can’t see her after that dream.
Nothing even happened in it , my dragon whines.
He is right. It’s not like I had a sex dream, just a love profession. Which might even be worse.
I check the time and see that I slept the entire night but woke up ten minutes before my alarm. I have a text from Shane.
Thanks for the drinks last night. We should do this again soon.
This gives me the perfect opportunity to see his reaction.
Yeah, I’m going out later this week. You should bring Taylor. I’m sure she could use a night out and meeting some New Yorkers.
I wait for his response.
I see three little dots and then they disappear.
Swallowing, I begin to type JK, but before I hit send, he responds.
I doubt she’d want to come, but I can ask.
My fist tightens as I fist bump in the air.
I don’t know why I am filled with a sense of relief, and is that…joy I am feeling?
It is , my dragon assures me.
I put my head in my hands and take a deep breath.
I will be seeing Taylor soon, and a big part of me cannot wait.